Auburn hosts Fourth of July Festival, Saturday at Les Gove Park

Auburn's Fourth of July Festival – an old-fashioned, hometown celebration with a kids' bike parade, art, music, food and live entertainment – returns to Les Gove Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

July 1, 2015 7:24 pm
The bicycle parade gets underway at the Auburn's 2014 Fourth of July celebration.
The bicycle parade gets underway at the Auburn's 2014 Fourth of July celebration.

Auburn’s Fourth of July Festival – an old-fashioned, hometown celebration with a kids’ bike parade, art, music, food and live entertainment – returns to Les Gove Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Among the highlights:

• Kids’ Bike Parade at noon for children of all ages. Participants and their decorated bicycles line-up at 11:30 p.m. Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus’ official welcome follows the parade.

• Free festival activities include bocce, museum activities, face painting and much more.

• Event wristbands – which can be purchased for $5 – are good for unlimited games of miniature golf, petting zoo visits, rides on the trackless train, the pony carousel and Tubs O’ Fun, play on all inflatable rides, participation on the rock climbing wall and bungee trampolines and balloon art.

• More than 50 craft vendors will offer hand-crafted items, from jewelry and kids’ items to fine art and candles.

• Unique cars for viewing at the festival’s car show.

• The White River Valley Museum will offer free admission during the festival.

• This year’s event features a book sale in the Les Gove Building, hosted by the Friends of the Auburn Library.

• The 9th annual Apple Pie Eating contest is at the Freedom Stage at 2:30 p.m.

• The Cyclone Swing is back, on the Northeast side of the festival grounds. The 20-seat Cyclone Swing holds all ages, 40-200 lbs. This ride is perfect for those seeking an added thrill and is available for $5/ride.

• The Museum of Curious Things, a traveling museum of oddities and curiosities from around the world. Entry is free to festival guests.

• The Freedom Stage boasts performances by a country band, Doublewide, followed by Matt Baker’s Comedy Stunt Show, Mr. Pink, and the Spazmatics.

• The Independence Stage features: Message from Guinea, a participatory African music and dance performance that kicks off the day; followed by the Opening Ceremony. Also on tap is Neverhazbeen, and The Ian McFeron Band.

• Overcomer Covenant Church (OCC) is coordinating a food drive to support The Auburn Food Bank. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the festival to the OCC booth.

Complete event information, including driving directions, parking information, a festival map and an entertainment schedule is available at www.auburnwa.gov/events.